We came, we saw, we conquered. An RGMotorsport Golf7 R, producing around 330kW on the wheels, reigned supreme in class A2 at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, seeing off its all-wheel-drive, forced-induction rivals to add some more silverware to the tuner’s trophy cabinet.

Developed over the course of a number of months are using their extensive experience of optimising and enhancing the VAG 888EA powerplant for road and track, the Golf - piloted by Jacques “The Stiglet” Joubert - blazed up the hill in just 46.5 seconds in his final run. It was a time which put his humble Golf right in amongst some illustrious names and in fact he was faster than a Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari 458 Italia and a McLaren MP4-12C.

One of the secrets to RGMotorsport’s success up the 1.9 kilometre run was the “Goliath” intake system fitted to the Golf, perfected just in time for this event and key to enabling the engine to breathe in such a way as to take full advantage of the other changes made to it. These included an enlarged turbocharger, a custom-made RGM-Techniflow exhaust system and a number of other RGM-developed tweaks.

So efficient is the Goliath that it instantly unleashes – without a single other engine modification or any dynamometer tuning – a solid 10 kW on an otherwise standard car. This is a bolt-on conversion in the true sense of the word and can be completed in less than 10 minutes. The better news is that the Goliath not only fits the 7R, but also the 7 GTI.

As an upgrade, it makes sense as the very first ‘stage’ of a process and by doing this first, the engine is now ready to take full advantage of other tuning options offered by RGMotorsport, such as ECU and exhaust upgrades.

The Goliath, supplied and fitted by RGM, costs R6 400 including VAT. Out-of-town customers can have it couriered to them overnight for DIY installation